FTSE dips as weaker miners offset rising banks

Miner Evraz (EVR) was down 2.4% at 516.6p and Fresnillo (FRES) declined 0.6% to £11.60.

Among the risers were Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) which advanced 0.8% at 256.5p; and Barclays (BARC), which rose 1.2% to 196.9p.

United Utilities (UU.) and British Gas owner Centrica (CNA) were also among the top blue-chip performers.

MID AND LARGE CAP RISERS AND FALLERS

Addiction specialist Indivior (INDV) revealed a US Court granted a temporary restraining order which halts rival firm Dr Reddy from launching its generic version of Suboxone Film, an opioid addiction treatment. Shares in Indivior received a 6% boost to 382.3p.

Shares in British packaging business DS Smith (SMDS) dipped 1.7% to 553.8p despite a robust set of results which saw pre-tax profit increase 8% to £292m in the year to 30 April.

Miner Rio Tinto (RIO) revealed a strategy to optimise its Pilbara assets would deliver value for shareholders, but this news was overshadowed by weakness across the mining sector. Its shares were broadly unmoved at £42.13.

SMALL CAP RISERS AND FALLERS

Biopharma firm HVIVO (HVO) enjoyed a 25.9% jump to 24.8p on positive results from its Phase IIb field study of FLU-v, representing a significant advance in the management of influenza disease.

Mercantile Ports and Logistics (MPL) rallied 31.3% to 3.08p after its subsidiary Karanja Port and Logistics' (KPL) Karanja Terminal was expected to be appointed as a customs port.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.